Environment Stories & News

Student cleaning up trash on UNI campus with purple bag

Take the purple bag challenge this Earth Day

‌UNI Facilities Management is teaming up with the Iowa Waste Reduction Center, the Student Sustainability Advisory Board, and students in the Introduction to Environmental Earth Science class to launch a new Earth Day initiative: the Purple Bag Challenge.
University of Northern Iowa faculty holding the Tree Campus USA Award.

UNI receives Tree Campus USA Award

University of Northern Iowa was recently honored with the 2024 Tree Campus USA Award at the Annual Community Forestry Awards Luncheon in Ankeny.
Ashley Coffin & Kamyar Enshayan

Science into action

Longtime Center for Energy & Environmental Education director passes torch to new leadership
Paha Cider awarded gold level certification from the Iowa Green Brewery Certification in January 2024.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Receives $175,159 P2 Grant to enhance brewery pollution prevention programs

The Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) at the University of Northern Iowa is excited to announce the receipt of a $175,159 Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Pollution Prevention Grant Program.
Kamyar Enshayan and Ashley Coffin

UNI Center for Energy & Environmental Education names new director

In 2025, Kamyar Enshayan will officially pass the torch of leading UNI's Center for Energy & Environmental Education to Ashley Coffin.
IAEAP Assistance by Iowa county 1993-present

More than 30 years improving air quality for Iowa small businesses

For more than 30 years, the Iowa Air Emissions Assistance Program has worked with Iowa small businesses to improve air quality.
Students inside water treatment facility

UNI students tackle water quality in two languages

UNI students Cody Boozell’s advanced Spanish class are taking their learning beyond the classroom with hands-on experience at a local water treatment facility.
Sandra Steingraber

UNI guest speaker explores cancer risks from agricultural chemicals

Renowned environmental writer and biologist Sandra Steingraber will present “Contaminated Without Consent: Cancer, Agricultural Chemicals & Human Rights."
Big Grove Des Moines staff members accept their Iowa Green Brewery Certification

Big Grove Des Moines achieves platinum Iowa Green Brewery Certification

Big Grove Brewery and Taproom in Des Moines has achieved platinum level certification from the Iowa Green Brewery Certification (IGBC) program.
UNI students planting a tree

Planting positive change

Public administration students at UNI got the chance to plant trees in historically redlined neighborhoods in Waterloo as part of a class project.